MTM Defence Lawyers > Edinburgh, Scotland > Firm Profile

MTM Defence Lawyers > Firm Profile

MTM is a leading Scottish specialist boutique criminal law firm that acts for clients across the United Kingdom and internationally. With offices in Edinburgh, London, Glasgow and Falkirk, MTM represents clients in all Scottish courts including the High Court and the Court of Appeal. MTM is the first-choice Scottish legal defence firm for referrals relating to complex international cases in Europe, the USA and around the world.  The firm is regularly instructed in cases referred by ‘magic circle’ firms in London as well as by leading Scottish commercial law firms.

The firm specialises in dealing with complex allegations, including cross-jurisdictional and historical allegations going back over decades, as well as cases involving commercial, family law and private client firms.   The firm acts for the clients of other firms that do not have a Scottish criminal law specialism and for individual lawyers themselves; it also works with local firms in other jurisdictions around the world.

MTM has built a reputation as the ‘lawyer’s lawyer’ for Scottish criminal law matters. Its extensive team includes two solicitor-advocates with a long history of successfully defending the most serious, complex and high-profile cases in Scotland.

With a strong white-collar crime focus and particular expertise in regulatory and health and safety cases, many of the firm’s cases centre on high-net-worth individuals and people with international society and business reputations that require to be safeguarded.  MTM is skilled at dealing with these types of case to keep matters out of court if possible, but, where proceedings are inevitable, MTM will assemble an experienced team to provide a strong and robust defence.  The firm is keenly aware that many clients require a highly discreet service and to avoid the glare of publicity.

As well as acting for individuals such as senior executives and professionals, MTM also acts for corporations, companies, church organisations and insurance companies.

Principal areas of work
Regulatory crime: MTM defends a wide range of clients in health and safety matters, including serious cases involving fatalities, environmental protection cases, intellectual property cases, trading standards, housing and landlord offences and education prosecutions.  The firm also act for individuals and companies in complex regulatory cases involving organisations such as the Forestry Commission.

 Criminal law: MTM deals with all statutory and common law offences, from minor charges such as breach of the peace, drug offences and theft through to the most serious cases involving murder.  The firm has long-established expertise in defending people accused of crimes in domestic cases.  Family law cases can very often lead to criminal allegations of domestic abuse, domestic assault or sexual abuse.

MTM also defends people accused of the most serious crimes in the High Court of Justiciary. Having its own solicitor-advocates means that it can offer in-house instruction – without the need to instruct expensive external counsel.

Fraud and financial crime: Over many years, MTM has built a UK-wide reputation for its ability to handle the most complex and challenging fraud and financial crime cases.

The firm’s expertise is particularly sought after for defending high-value cases involving mortgage fraud and commercial and corporate fraud – often relating to business owners, senior executives and company directors.  MTM has recently secured an acquittal in the UK’s longest running corporate fraud case.

The Legal 500 has formally recognised two of MTM’s directors as leading individuals in defending fraud cases in Scotland.

Road traffic offences: MTM acts for top corporate executives and professionals, in relation to all road traffic offences – from careless or dangerous driving, to drink driving, speeding and use of mobile phones.  MTM recognises that such offences can have profound consequences for an individual’s personal circumstances and career, and the firm works to mitigate those consequences in every case by challenging the evidence at every point.

Compliance and legal advice : The firm provides authoritative advice about what to do when an allegation of criminal conduct is made and even how to avoid potential allegations.  MTM can also advise simply about staying legal: it has have wide experience of advising clients about important or sensitive matters relating to criminal law.

Representation in discussions and negotiations with police or prosecuting authorities: MTM works from the outset to influence proceedings, making contact with the police, public prosecutors and regulatory authorities, for example: to persuade them not to bring a prosecution in the first place; or to discontinue / reduce the charges; or to impose alternatives to court prosecution.

Watching briefs and witness training: MTM can keep a watching brief for clients – in criminal case proceedings where employees or customers are accused of criminal offences and the client wishes to be kept advised of developments.

Witness familiarisation training is available for professional, expert or other witnesses who wish information and practical advice about giving evidence in criminal court proceedings.

Lawyer Profiles

Photo	Name	Position	Profile
	Murray Aitken	Director of Legal Practice specialising in Criminal Law	View Profile
	Neil Hay	Director of Legal Practice specialising in Criminal Law	View Profile
	Simon Hutchinson	Solicitor	View Profile
	Hazel McGuinness	Associate Solicitor	View Profile
	Martin Morrow	Director, MTM Defence Lawyers, Falkirk, 1993 to Present Solicitor Advocate undertaking work…	View Profile
	Sophie Russell	Solicitor	View Profile
	Lynn Swan	Associate Solicitor	View Profile

MTM Defence Lawyers > Firm Profile

MTM is a leading Scottish specialist boutique criminal law firm that acts for clients across the United Kingdom and internationally. With offices in Edinburgh, London, Glasgow and Falkirk, MTM represents clients in all Scottish courts including the High Court and the Court of Appeal. MTM is the first-choice Scottish legal defence firm for referrals relating to complex international cases in Europe, the USA and around the world.  The firm is regularly instructed in cases referred by ‘magic circle’ firms in London as well as by leading Scottish commercial law firms.

The firm specialises in dealing with complex allegations, including cross-jurisdictional and historical allegations going back over decades, as well as cases involving commercial, family law and private client firms.   The firm acts for the clients of other firms that do not have a Scottish criminal law specialism and for individual lawyers themselves; it also works with local firms in other jurisdictions around the world.

MTM has built a reputation as the ‘lawyer’s lawyer’ for Scottish criminal law matters. Its extensive team includes two solicitor-advocates with a long history of successfully defending the most serious, complex and high-profile cases in Scotland.

With a strong white-collar crime focus and particular expertise in regulatory and health and safety cases, many of the firm’s cases centre on high-net-worth individuals and people with international society and business reputations that require to be safeguarded.  MTM is skilled at dealing with these types of case to keep matters out of court if possible, but, where proceedings are inevitable, MTM will assemble an experienced team to provide a strong and robust defence.  The firm is keenly aware that many clients require a highly discreet service and to avoid the glare of publicity.

As well as acting for individuals such as senior executives and professionals, MTM also acts for corporations, companies, church organisations and insurance companies.

Principal areas of work
Regulatory crime: MTM defends a wide range of clients in health and safety matters, including serious cases involving fatalities, environmental protection cases, intellectual property cases, trading standards, housing and landlord offences and education prosecutions.  The firm also act for individuals and companies in complex regulatory cases involving organisations such as the Forestry Commission.

 Criminal law: MTM deals with all statutory and common law offences, from minor charges such as breach of the peace, drug offences and theft through to the most serious cases involving murder.  The firm has long-established expertise in defending people accused of crimes in domestic cases.  Family law cases can very often lead to criminal allegations of domestic abuse, domestic assault or sexual abuse.

MTM also defends people accused of the most serious crimes in the High Court of Justiciary. Having its own solicitor-advocates means that it can offer in-house instruction – without the need to instruct expensive external counsel.

Fraud and financial crime: Over many years, MTM has built a UK-wide reputation for its ability to handle the most complex and challenging fraud and financial crime cases.

The firm’s expertise is particularly sought after for defending high-value cases involving mortgage fraud and commercial and corporate fraud – often relating to business owners, senior executives and company directors.  MTM has recently secured an acquittal in the UK’s longest running corporate fraud case.

The Legal 500 has formally recognised two of MTM’s directors as leading individuals in defending fraud cases in Scotland.

Road traffic offences: MTM acts for top corporate executives and professionals, in relation to all road traffic offences – from careless or dangerous driving, to drink driving, speeding and use of mobile phones.  MTM recognises that such offences can have profound consequences for an individual’s personal circumstances and career, and the firm works to mitigate those consequences in every case by challenging the evidence at every point.

Compliance and legal advice : The firm provides authoritative advice about what to do when an allegation of criminal conduct is made and even how to avoid potential allegations.  MTM can also advise simply about staying legal: it has have wide experience of advising clients about important or sensitive matters relating to criminal law.

Representation in discussions and negotiations with police or prosecuting authorities: MTM works from the outset to influence proceedings, making contact with the police, public prosecutors and regulatory authorities, for example: to persuade them not to bring a prosecution in the first place; or to discontinue / reduce the charges; or to impose alternatives to court prosecution.

Watching briefs and witness training: MTM can keep a watching brief for clients – in criminal case proceedings where employees or customers are accused of criminal offences and the client wishes to be kept advised of developments.

Witness familiarisation training is available for professional, expert or other witnesses who wish information and practical advice about giving evidence in criminal court proceedings.